Pong Su (Photo credit: ABC).
The infamous case of the North Korean cargo ship involved in Australia’s largest drug bust will be dramatised in a feature film, potentially as the first official Australian-Korean co-production.
Reg Cribb is writing the first draft of action drama The Pong Su for the producers, Unicorn Films’ Lizzette Atkins and Jonathan Kim of Korea’s Hanmac Culture Group.
The cargo ship was used to smuggle 150 kilograms of heroin into Victoria in April 2003. The Australian Federal Police monitored the operation and the ship was seized off the coast of Nsw on the orders of Prime Minister John Howard.
The film will follow eccentric defence lawyer Ian Hayden, his Korean interpreter Yuna and their relationship with their charismatic client, the ship’s master, North Korean Captain Song.
“In a story full of contradictions and moral ambiguity, the defence team is determined to see justice done,” Atkins says.
The infamous case of the North Korean cargo ship involved in Australia’s largest drug bust will be dramatised in a feature film, potentially as the first official Australian-Korean co-production.
Reg Cribb is writing the first draft of action drama The Pong Su for the producers, Unicorn Films’ Lizzette Atkins and Jonathan Kim of Korea’s Hanmac Culture Group.
The cargo ship was used to smuggle 150 kilograms of heroin into Victoria in April 2003. The Australian Federal Police monitored the operation and the ship was seized off the coast of Nsw on the orders of Prime Minister John Howard.
The film will follow eccentric defence lawyer Ian Hayden, his Korean interpreter Yuna and their relationship with their charismatic client, the ship’s master, North Korean Captain Song.
“In a story full of contradictions and moral ambiguity, the defence team is determined to see justice done,” Atkins says.
- 10/17/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Twenty years after the brutal murder of a six-year-old, Kitty Green’s inventive film examines the story from a new angle
1996 was the year the Spice Girls broke, the “Unabomber” was arrested, 35 people were massacred at Port Arthur in Tasmania, Lance Armstrong got cancer and John Howard defeated Paul Keating to become Australia’s 25th Prime Minister.
Related: JonBenét Ramsey: the brutal child murder that still haunts America
Continue reading...
1996 was the year the Spice Girls broke, the “Unabomber” was arrested, 35 people were massacred at Port Arthur in Tasmania, Lance Armstrong got cancer and John Howard defeated Paul Keating to become Australia’s 25th Prime Minister.
Related: JonBenét Ramsey: the brutal child murder that still haunts America
Continue reading...
- 3/9/2017
- by Megan Spencer
- The Guardian - Film News
Matthew Saville on the Adelaide set of A Month of Sundays.
Felony director Matthew Saville is getting ready for the release of his new film.A Month of Sundays, starring Anthony Lapaglia and John Clarke as Adelaide real-estate agents.
The film will be released April 28 by Madman after festival runs at Tiff and Adelaide last year.
In between promotional duties, Saville is also looking ahead to what's next - even though, as he says, "I can't say what's next, because it's not really up to me".
"I'm developing a few projects but they're just really rough treatments and it's years before they're ready. The one that's furthest down the pipeline is an adaptation of a book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson called Dark Victory, about the Tampa Crisis in 2001".
Dark Victory: How a Government Lied its Way to Political Triumph is the story of the Howard government's refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa,...
Felony director Matthew Saville is getting ready for the release of his new film.A Month of Sundays, starring Anthony Lapaglia and John Clarke as Adelaide real-estate agents.
The film will be released April 28 by Madman after festival runs at Tiff and Adelaide last year.
In between promotional duties, Saville is also looking ahead to what's next - even though, as he says, "I can't say what's next, because it's not really up to me".
"I'm developing a few projects but they're just really rough treatments and it's years before they're ready. The one that's furthest down the pipeline is an adaptation of a book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson called Dark Victory, about the Tampa Crisis in 2001".
Dark Victory: How a Government Lied its Way to Political Triumph is the story of the Howard government's refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa,...
- 3/21/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Documentaries investigating Australia.s war in Afghanistan, the fight against the country.s ice epidemic and the state of the heath and school systems will screen on the ABC next year.
The comedy slate includes two series starring Utopia.s Luke McGregor and six pilots, with viewers voting to determine which pilot goes to a series.
The ABC also confirmed its flagship channel will be available to live-stream on iview from December and that it plans to broadcast all content in HD from next June.
ABC director of TV Richard Finlayson said at the upfronts launch: .As the national broadcaster we will continue our commitment to Australian content, delivering a high-quality, deep and diverse slate..
The factual slate includes Essential Media and Entertainment.s Afghanistan: Inside Australia.s War, which chronicles the raw experiences of Australia.s longest war, from private soldiers to prime ministers, written and directed by Victoria Pitt...
The comedy slate includes two series starring Utopia.s Luke McGregor and six pilots, with viewers voting to determine which pilot goes to a series.
The ABC also confirmed its flagship channel will be available to live-stream on iview from December and that it plans to broadcast all content in HD from next June.
ABC director of TV Richard Finlayson said at the upfronts launch: .As the national broadcaster we will continue our commitment to Australian content, delivering a high-quality, deep and diverse slate..
The factual slate includes Essential Media and Entertainment.s Afghanistan: Inside Australia.s War, which chronicles the raw experiences of Australia.s longest war, from private soldiers to prime ministers, written and directed by Victoria Pitt...
- 11/24/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
John Howard has long regarded Sir Robert Menzies, Australia.s longest-serving Prime Minister, as his political hero.
So when producers decided to make a two-part documentary on Australian politics and society during the Menzies era, Howard readily agreed to collaborate and serve as the presenter.
The ABC has commissioned Howard on Menzies, one of six projects which received more than $2.7 million in funding from the first round of Screen Australia.s Broadcast program.
.With my fellow exec producer Stuart Menzies (no relation) we approached Mr Howard and put a case that we believed that a film from him based largely on his recent book, The Menzies Era, would be a unique insight into history, leadership and political power,. writer-director Simon Nasht tells If. .We needed to convince him that we were a team that could be trusted with presenting his viewpoint, not inserting our own. Then the ABC needed to...
So when producers decided to make a two-part documentary on Australian politics and society during the Menzies era, Howard readily agreed to collaborate and serve as the presenter.
The ABC has commissioned Howard on Menzies, one of six projects which received more than $2.7 million in funding from the first round of Screen Australia.s Broadcast program.
.With my fellow exec producer Stuart Menzies (no relation) we approached Mr Howard and put a case that we believed that a film from him based largely on his recent book, The Menzies Era, would be a unique insight into history, leadership and political power,. writer-director Simon Nasht tells If. .We needed to convince him that we were a team that could be trusted with presenting his viewpoint, not inserting our own. Then the ABC needed to...
- 3/18/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The producers of The Bodhi Tree have optioned two novels by Paul Conroy as the basis for the film based on the true-life story of Max Green, a Melbourne tax lawyer who embezzled millions of dollars and laundered some of the money by buying gems.
Green was found murdered in his hotel room during a one-night stopover in Cambodia in 1998.
Robert Lewis Galinsky is writing the screenplay and serving as executive producer, collaborating with actors-turned- producers Mirko and Amanda Grillini.
An A-list Australian director has read the treatment and is awaiting the script which is due to be delivered early in 2015, Galinsky tells If.
The primary source material is Conroy.s novels Lawyers, Gems and Money and 10 Months in Laos. The latter deals with Australian couple Kerry and Kay Danes, who in 2000 were arrested and accused of stealing gems and cash from a gem mining company in the Laos capital of Vientiane,...
Green was found murdered in his hotel room during a one-night stopover in Cambodia in 1998.
Robert Lewis Galinsky is writing the screenplay and serving as executive producer, collaborating with actors-turned- producers Mirko and Amanda Grillini.
An A-list Australian director has read the treatment and is awaiting the script which is due to be delivered early in 2015, Galinsky tells If.
The primary source material is Conroy.s novels Lawyers, Gems and Money and 10 Months in Laos. The latter deals with Australian couple Kerry and Kay Danes, who in 2000 were arrested and accused of stealing gems and cash from a gem mining company in the Laos capital of Vientiane,...
- 11/9/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Kay Danes. account of the ordeal that she and her husband experienced in Laos after being wrongly accused of stealing millions of dollars. worth of cash and gems from a mining company will be adapted into a feature film.
Robert Lewis Galinsky and actors-turned-neophyte producers Mirko and Amanda Grillini have bought the screen rights to Danes. life story.
Galinsky is writing the screenplay and will serve as executive producer. The Grillinis will produce together with a seasoned producer who is yet to be hired. The Grillinis brought the project to Galinsky.
In 2000 Kerry and Kay Danes were arrested and accused of stealing gems and cash from a gem mining company in the Laos capital of Vientiane, where they were employed by a security company.
They were detained for 10 months, enduring brutal interrogations, mock executions, torture and the forced separation from their three small children.
In 2001 they were fined and sentenced to seven years in jail.
Robert Lewis Galinsky and actors-turned-neophyte producers Mirko and Amanda Grillini have bought the screen rights to Danes. life story.
Galinsky is writing the screenplay and will serve as executive producer. The Grillinis will produce together with a seasoned producer who is yet to be hired. The Grillinis brought the project to Galinsky.
In 2000 Kerry and Kay Danes were arrested and accused of stealing gems and cash from a gem mining company in the Laos capital of Vientiane, where they were employed by a security company.
They were detained for 10 months, enduring brutal interrogations, mock executions, torture and the forced separation from their three small children.
In 2001 they were fined and sentenced to seven years in jail.
- 11/21/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
This powerful film by John Pilger looks at the awful truth behind white Australia's dysfunctional relationship with Indigenous Australians
Veteran investigator John Pilger has an extraordinary story to tell about white Australia and its deeply dysfunctional relationship with the Indigenous Australian community. Pilger sees it as unrepentant apartheid, and cites a bizarre act of taxpayer-funded official hysteria: the 2007 "intervention" in the Northern Territory organised by the John Howard government on the pretext that paedophile gangs were operating in Indigenous settlements. Troops were sent in; townships were compulsorily acquired and native title legislation ignored. Yet no prosecution for child abuse resulted, and studies appeared to conclude that the situation was no better or worse than in white areas.
The awful truth is that Indigenous communities are on mineral-rich lands that cause mouths to water in mining corporation boardrooms. Even if the "intervention" wasn't a straightforward land grab, then it suited powerful...
Veteran investigator John Pilger has an extraordinary story to tell about white Australia and its deeply dysfunctional relationship with the Indigenous Australian community. Pilger sees it as unrepentant apartheid, and cites a bizarre act of taxpayer-funded official hysteria: the 2007 "intervention" in the Northern Territory organised by the John Howard government on the pretext that paedophile gangs were operating in Indigenous settlements. Troops were sent in; townships were compulsorily acquired and native title legislation ignored. Yet no prosecution for child abuse resulted, and studies appeared to conclude that the situation was no better or worse than in white areas.
The awful truth is that Indigenous communities are on mineral-rich lands that cause mouths to water in mining corporation boardrooms. Even if the "intervention" wasn't a straightforward land grab, then it suited powerful...
- 11/15/2013
- by John Pilger, Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The Age’s former political editor Michelle Grattan today joined the universities-funded website The Conversation. She argues that the media needs multiple voices.
May I start my introductory column for The Conversation with one not-so-bold prediction. This hung federal parliament – just the second in a century – is likely to be the last one we’ll see for a very long time.
With some notable exceptions, the Australian people usually speak fairly clearly at federal elections. Even when they don’t, the electoral system tends to produce a decisive result. It’s unlikely to be different on September 14.
What will be distinctive about this election is that the date is known so many months out. Of course, in a parliament where the unexpected is the expected, that could change – for instance, if Kevin Rudd were to achieve the Herculean challenge of seizing the leadership.
But on present settings, election year already has its structure and,...
May I start my introductory column for The Conversation with one not-so-bold prediction. This hung federal parliament – just the second in a century – is likely to be the last one we’ll see for a very long time.
With some notable exceptions, the Australian people usually speak fairly clearly at federal elections. Even when they don’t, the electoral system tends to produce a decisive result. It’s unlikely to be different on September 14.
What will be distinctive about this election is that the date is known so many months out. Of course, in a parliament where the unexpected is the expected, that could change – for instance, if Kevin Rudd were to achieve the Herculean challenge of seizing the leadership.
But on present settings, election year already has its structure and,...
- 2/10/2013
- by mumbrella
- Encore Magazine
Leading public relations agencies are boosting their presence in Canberra after of the September Federal election.
Hill + Knowlton Strategies yesterday announced it will launch a Canberra office, with the appointment of former senior Liberal Party strategist to an executive role with the agency.
Simeon Duncan worked for leaders John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott and will represent the PR firm’s clients who deal with the government.
He will be the company’s strategy director in the public affairs department.
Meanwhile, Parker & Partners, the public affairs arm of Ogilvy Public Relations Australia has appointed Michael Hartmann in the newly created role of Director – Government Relations.
Hartmann will also be based in Canberra, his former roles include Deputy Director of the Cattle Council of Australia, CEO of Cooperative Research Centres Association, and Director of Communications at Universities Australia.
The post PR agencies boost Canberra presence ahead of poll appeared first on mUmBRELLA.
Hill + Knowlton Strategies yesterday announced it will launch a Canberra office, with the appointment of former senior Liberal Party strategist to an executive role with the agency.
Simeon Duncan worked for leaders John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott and will represent the PR firm’s clients who deal with the government.
He will be the company’s strategy director in the public affairs department.
Meanwhile, Parker & Partners, the public affairs arm of Ogilvy Public Relations Australia has appointed Michael Hartmann in the newly created role of Director – Government Relations.
Hartmann will also be based in Canberra, his former roles include Deputy Director of the Cattle Council of Australia, CEO of Cooperative Research Centres Association, and Director of Communications at Universities Australia.
The post PR agencies boost Canberra presence ahead of poll appeared first on mUmBRELLA.
- 2/5/2013
- by Marcus Casey
- Encore Magazine
Embracing Twitter can offer audience interaction and instant insight into how your program is being received beyond just a ratings number. At EncoreLive, moderator Magdalena Roze and panellists Amanda Collinge, Steven Murphy and First Dog on the Moon (Andrew Marlton) waded into the Twitterstream.
An audience show-of-hands gave an instant response to the EncoreLive Conference of how many people were still not sold on Twitter and its capabilities, but those beyond the walls had no idea how many hands were raised – a quick tweet could have told the rest of the world.
In February, Channel Nine cancelled Ben Elton’s Live from Planet Earth after just three episodes – not just from low ratings, but from bad press on Twitter. “The audience let us know very quickly that they weren’t enjoying the program,” FremantleMedia publicist Steven Murphy admitted. By the second episode, “the sledging had become part of the audience member’s enjoyment.
An audience show-of-hands gave an instant response to the EncoreLive Conference of how many people were still not sold on Twitter and its capabilities, but those beyond the walls had no idea how many hands were raised – a quick tweet could have told the rest of the world.
In February, Channel Nine cancelled Ben Elton’s Live from Planet Earth after just three episodes – not just from low ratings, but from bad press on Twitter. “The audience let us know very quickly that they weren’t enjoying the program,” FremantleMedia publicist Steven Murphy admitted. By the second episode, “the sledging had become part of the audience member’s enjoyment.
- 7/19/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Our Generation examines indigenous rights in Australia through the experiences of the Yolngu community of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Largely ignored by the mainstream media, the documentary offers a rare glimpse into the issues affecting Australian indigenous communities. Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis, producers of Our Generation, talk about the motivation behind the film and what they hope it will achieve
Read a review of Our Generation
Link to Our Generation photo gallery
Are people becoming more engaged with subjects they might not necessarily know about because they are becoming more familiar with the format of documentaries as a medium for gaining information?
Sinem: Definitely. For me, Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine was perhaps the first documentary to both teach me about things that I didn't know and about things I could change myself. Sometimes documentaries are just a way of getting information; now people are becoming...
Read a review of Our Generation
Link to Our Generation photo gallery
Are people becoming more engaged with subjects they might not necessarily know about because they are becoming more familiar with the format of documentaries as a medium for gaining information?
Sinem: Definitely. For me, Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine was perhaps the first documentary to both teach me about things that I didn't know and about things I could change myself. Sometimes documentaries are just a way of getting information; now people are becoming...
- 2/15/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis's documentary examining the state of indigenous rights in Australia offers an insight into years of neglect, ignorance and stereotyping. But it also offers the hope that things could change.
Read a Q&A with Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis
Link to Our Generation photo gallery
In 2008, Australia's then prime minister, Kevin Rudd, apologised to the country's indigenous population for the "indignity and degradation" to which past governments had subjected them. Although "sorry" was only a simple word, Australia's First Peoples, the Aborigines, the indigenous population, hoped the apology would herald a new era of race relations. Sunday 13 February 2011 was the three-year anniversary of Sorry Day, but in the years since Rudd's announcement it seems little has changed.
Our Generation is a documentary feature from Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis looking at the complex issue of indigenous rights in Australia. The pair have not only the...
Read a Q&A with Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis
Link to Our Generation photo gallery
In 2008, Australia's then prime minister, Kevin Rudd, apologised to the country's indigenous population for the "indignity and degradation" to which past governments had subjected them. Although "sorry" was only a simple word, Australia's First Peoples, the Aborigines, the indigenous population, hoped the apology would herald a new era of race relations. Sunday 13 February 2011 was the three-year anniversary of Sorry Day, but in the years since Rudd's announcement it seems little has changed.
Our Generation is a documentary feature from Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis looking at the complex issue of indigenous rights in Australia. The pair have not only the...
- 2/15/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
A survey commissioned by The Australia Day Council of Nsw’s has revealed that 58 percent of Australians believe that local films “only sometimes accurately represent who we are” and capture “the real Australia”.
In this context, participants named The Castle (37 percent) and its lead character Darryl Kerrigan (23 percent) the best big screen representations of who we are as a nation.
Mick “Crocodile” Dundee followed closely, with 21 percent, and the protagonist of Muriel’s Wedding reached the third spot with 17 percent.
The results of the survey were presented in Sydney by actor Gyton Grantley, director Ray Lawrence and swimmer Elka Whalan.
According to the survey’s participants, Cate Blanchett (41 percent) and Hugh Jackman (54 percent) are the country’s favourite leads.
The survey also asked which politician people would most like to co-star with – a category won by Bob Hawke (37 percent), followed by John Howard.
“The fact that we are proud of our suburban culture shows self-confidence.
In this context, participants named The Castle (37 percent) and its lead character Darryl Kerrigan (23 percent) the best big screen representations of who we are as a nation.
Mick “Crocodile” Dundee followed closely, with 21 percent, and the protagonist of Muriel’s Wedding reached the third spot with 17 percent.
The results of the survey were presented in Sydney by actor Gyton Grantley, director Ray Lawrence and swimmer Elka Whalan.
According to the survey’s participants, Cate Blanchett (41 percent) and Hugh Jackman (54 percent) are the country’s favourite leads.
The survey also asked which politician people would most like to co-star with – a category won by Bob Hawke (37 percent), followed by John Howard.
“The fact that we are proud of our suburban culture shows self-confidence.
- 10/6/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
The Screen Producers Association of Australia presented its initiative for a $60m, five-year loan fund for mid-range production simultaneously to both parties, but only the Coalition responded to it.
“We’re disappointed that Labor didn’t see the fund as something appropriate to take up in the run up to the election, but we’re terribly happy that the Liberals have embraced this policy.” said Spaa president Anthony I. Ginnane.
“We’ve always felt that support for the industry has been historically bi-partisan in Australia, so we presented it to both the Labor Government and the Liberal opposition at virtually the same time; we had significant discussions with the relevant Ministers and their departments. We’re pleased that Shadow Arts Minister Steven Ciobo and the Liberal party have taken up this initiative,” he explained.
The president of Spaa said that “it’s hard to say” if the Coalition’s announcement...
“We’re disappointed that Labor didn’t see the fund as something appropriate to take up in the run up to the election, but we’re terribly happy that the Liberals have embraced this policy.” said Spaa president Anthony I. Ginnane.
“We’ve always felt that support for the industry has been historically bi-partisan in Australia, so we presented it to both the Labor Government and the Liberal opposition at virtually the same time; we had significant discussions with the relevant Ministers and their departments. We’re pleased that Shadow Arts Minister Steven Ciobo and the Liberal party have taken up this initiative,” he explained.
The president of Spaa said that “it’s hard to say” if the Coalition’s announcement...
- 8/17/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Since The Week in Sports began as a feature on AfterElton.com we've kept our queer eye on the photo wires to bring you a weekly compilation of the most arresting images of male athleticisim from around the world.
2009 is coming to a close, so in this final installment we thought we'd look back and gather together the best of the best. Hence The Year in Sports. (Well, technicaly the half-year in sports, since we only started this feature in July.)
Now we know not every football fan is also a tennis fan, and some rugby fanatics cannot abide men's gymnastics. So this time out we've helpfully sorted the photos by category. You can jump to whatever photo collection you want by the table of contents below. Oh, and in addition to the major sports, we've got a few special photo categories that we hope you'll enjoy!
Baseball...
2009 is coming to a close, so in this final installment we thought we'd look back and gather together the best of the best. Hence The Year in Sports. (Well, technicaly the half-year in sports, since we only started this feature in July.)
Now we know not every football fan is also a tennis fan, and some rugby fanatics cannot abide men's gymnastics. So this time out we've helpfully sorted the photos by category. You can jump to whatever photo collection you want by the table of contents below. Oh, and in addition to the major sports, we've got a few special photo categories that we hope you'll enjoy!
Baseball...
- 12/23/2009
- by dennis
- The Backlot
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